Memories.

Being locked away from civilization really gives a person time to think. A time to reflect on what he's done. Grant Ward had finally gotten over his suicidal tendencies, but he wasn't any less miserable. He just had a reason to live: Skye. Because, although she may never forgive him, she needed him to protect her. Without a heroic cause, finding a way to end his life, Ward had grown aimless. Every day was a sad, gray blur. He woke up with on wish but it was never granted and the next day he would start all over again.

However, the one thing he did have was memories. Magnificent and horrific. And that's how he maintained his sanity. He rejected his situation and began to live in the past. He was surprised at how nice the simplest moments had been.

"Coffee?" Skye asked as she picked a white ceramic mug off the shelf, "I never pegged you as one of the caffeine addicted. I mean, maybe, I could see you drinking tea or something. So, what do you take it with? Three packets of sweetener? Milk?" A teasing smile spread across her face as she placed her cup under the machine. Ward smiled, oddly amused at her mocking. It was pleasant being part of a team, even if it was only a cover.

"Black," he replied, "And what makes you think I would drink tea?" Skye sat across from him on a firm, blue couch. She took a long sip from her mug before sighing happily.

"Hmmm," she began, a playful look in her eye, "Well, you do have that weirdly detached vibe that makes me think you could be drinking a cup of Oolong and practicing Tai Chi at five in the morning."

Ward closed his eyes and smiled. He had taken those few, precious moments of downtime for granted and now he was trapped. He was a monster in her eyes and there wasn't anything he could do about it. Other than be there for her and tell her everything he knew. But every moment thinking of her only brought more pain because he could never get back what they had. Still, he couldn't help but think back to the last and only real moment they had shared.

Grant Ward sat on the couch, across from Skye. He wanted to show her that he was serious about them being an "us". He needed her to know that he was more than just an emotionally dead specialist. After she identified him as Kevlar, a fabric that blocked everything else out, he wanted nothing more than to come clean. He told her how she was bad for him. Ward explained how specialists had to think critically and emotionlessly in order to survive. And yet, she still sat there with an almost hopeful and very worried expression etched across her perfect features. She was so incredibly vulnerable, ready to start something with him and take a leap of faith.

"But you're right. I'm Kevlar and you're not," he stated evenly, trying not to let the want slip into his voice. He had to remain composed while baring his soul if he was going to follow Garrett's orders.

"You don't have to be. You don't have to shut people out," She argued, almost frustrated that he wouldn't drop his defenses. She didn't understand why he was so guarded.

"Yeah I do. There are things about me," Ward paused, corpses of the countless people he had murdered through his mind, " that you wouldn't like if you knew."

"You think I don't have skeletons?" Skye was indignant. It was clear from her furrowed brow that she felt as though he was underestimating her in some way. She thought he was simply making excuses because he wasn't truly ready to be honest with her. She was right.

"It's different. You're good," Ward tried to make her comprehend. They were such different people and, even as he spoke with her about his feelings, he had a hidden agenda. Despite the validity of his words, he wouldn't be saying them if Garrett didn't need the hard drive, if he wasn't a part of Hydra.

"So are you."

"Not always," he paused momentarily and looked her in the eyes, wondering how she would react to what he was going to say next, "I lied to you. My older brother, he didn't beat up my younger brother. He was crueler than that. He made me do it. And I let him. I was afraid of him."

"What about your parents?" She couldn't fathom how someone who had been blessed with a family could still be so cursed. Had she really been searching for a home for so long when those with them wished they didn't?

"They were worse. I am not a good man, Skye." He willed her to agree with him. He needed her to pull back, to stop him from doing something he'd regret.

"Hey," she breathed, moving to sit next to him. Skye pulled his chin towards her and made eye contact before assuring him, "Yes your are." And that was all Grant Ward could handle. He moved his face forward and kissed her with all he had. He moved urgently, trying to show her how he felt. But she pulled away far too soon, staring at his ear. He saw blood on her fingers and stood up quickly.

"One of my cuts must have opened up," Ward lied, making his way to the bathroom. And, just like that, the moment was over.

He grimaced his cell. Shortly after that, she discovered the body and figured out who he-what he was. Now he just had to prove he was different.

Hey,

So I'm back. Here's chapter two. Yippee:) Anyways, I probably will only spend another two or three chapters in the cell before moving on to slightly evil season two Ward. Please let me know what you think because unfortunately I can't read minds:( Also, please let me know your favorite Ward moments (they don't have to be with Skye) and I will try to relive them from his perspective in a flashback.

-SSSTD